The Few, The Proud...The Award-Winning Toys!
Who Made the Cut This Year?
By Alison Marek and Julie L. Jones
Thousands
of products are introduced to the toy industry every year, but only a
limited number are good enough, playable enough and innovative enough
to garner an award.
In addition to issuing
TDmonthly
Awards, TDmonthly
Magazine regularly asks manufacturers
to present their award winners to our readers so that retailers can quickly
identify products with great potential and manufacturers can learn and
be inspired by others' successes. Here are the most recent responses:
I Can Build Lower Case Letters! Activity Kit by FUNDANOODLE
This kit has everything kids need to get started on the path to handwriting proficiency. Includes activities that help kids improve gross and fine motor skills. The I Can Write Lower Case! writing tablet will help teach kids proper lower case letter formation. Large muscle movements prepare childrens' bodies for writing. With magnastix, kids will have a great time and grow more confident as they learn to identify and form the letters of the alphabet. Gross motor cards are a fun and easy way to practice letter recognition while improving flexibility and strengthening muscles. The handy carrying case makes this kit perfect for use at home or on-the-go. Launch date: 2011. Awards: 2012 Tillywig Brain Child Award; 2012 The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 7/19/2012 (Price: $29.99; Age: 5 to 6) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Rodeo Rummy by Square Shooters by HEARTLAND CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LLC
Players spin the spinner on their turn, then roll the dice. Players have 3 rolls or less to match the rummy hand on the spinner – but look out for a bonus or penalty that can help or hurt. Win the most points and win the game. When players are done, they can use the dice to play a different game. Game Contents: 9 Square Shooters® dice, spinner, dice cup, and scorepad. Awards: 2012 Creative Child Magazine Game of the Year Award; Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner 7/18/2012 (Price: $17.99; Age: 8 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Rhinestone Rings by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS
Kids can make a dozen dimensional rings, perfect to wear and share. This is also a great party activity. Layer 90+ printed acetate and chipboard flourishes with rhinestones and glitter gel accents onto 12 metal ring bases. This kit includes a sweet 6" diameter foam flower ring holder. Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Sterling Fun Award Winner; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal 7/18/2012 (Price: $14.99; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
OGOBILD BITS Set 1 by OGOSPORT, LLC
The BILD line offers a stimulating opportunity for constructive play and imaginative exploration. Leap always knew it was destined for fun. Inspired by a rocket, this Bit redesigned itself to fly. With a well placed propeller and a powerful spring, Leap is always ready to leap into action. Crank is the go-to BIT. Whether he's scooping sand, clutching parts, or fixing the other Bits, Crank is the one for the job.Set Contains: 1 OGOBILD BITS Leap character and 1 OGOBILD BITS Crank character. Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner 7/18/2012 (Price: $16.00; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Mossy Meadows Gnome Garden by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS
Includes everything kids need to create an enchanting home for three wee gnomes. This all-inclusive garden craft kit includes a garden dish, potting mix, wheat grass seeds, bark house, leaf-shaped pond, mossy rocks, stepping stones, resin gnomes, toadstools, ladybugs, paint, brush and a mister - just add water and a little sunshine. The garden dish measures 11"w x 2"d. The natural wheat grass seeds are pet friendly and sprout in just a few days. Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner 7/18/2012 (Price: $29.99; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Mentagy Box Set & Book by PASCO GAMES
Hand crafted from hardwood the 38 piece hand held version of Mentagy measures just over 6" x 6". To play simply mark the blank spaces with the black pegs and seed letters with the red letters. Players are now ready to use the remaining white letters to solve the puzzle. One advantage of the wooden Mentagy ™ set is that players can solve the puzzles without using an eraser. If a player is in the middle of solving a puzzle and has to stop, they simply place the top on the base and the pegs cannot move. Take the Mentagy ™ set anywhere and continue where the game was left off. Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner — As of 12/6/2012 Mentagy: The Next Puzzle Craze (the book) had 5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on Amazon.com. 7/18/2012 (Price: $35.99; Age: 8 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Crappy Birthday by NORTH STAR GAMES
Crappy Birthday is the hilarious game of giving bad gifts. The goal is to choose the worst gift for each player. Laughing together at funny pictures and the ensuing banter make this game a winner. — As of 07/18/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on Amazon.com. Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner 7/18/2012 (Price: $14.99; Age: 12 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
CampAntics by BEREB ENTERPRISES
CampAntics™ is the children’s board game of summer camp adventures. Each trip around the board is one day at camp, where players participate in daily activities (sailing, baseball, etc.), get into mischief, follow the camp director’s announcements, and try to avoid the Forbidden Forest. Primarily for children 5 to 11 years old; also loads of fun for older siblings, parents, and grandparents. Special features include: comic book instructions, many opportunities for social interaction, and single player rules. Launch date: February 2011. Awards: 2011The Toy Man Award of Excellence; 2011The Noise on Toys Award of Excellence; 2012 Tillywig Toy Awards Sterling Fun Award; 2012 Dr. Toy Best Vacation; 2012 Family Review Center Gold Award 7/13/2012 (Price: $24.95; Age: 5 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Activity Blankie by GREAT DIVIDE CORP
Our Activity Blankie is perfect for busy mothers as baby will stay active and engaged. It’s a blankie that’s snuggly, bubbly, squishy and squeaky all in one. The precious bear, star and moon will bring joy and delight to little ones. Launch date: March 2012. Awards: 2012 Seal of Excellence - Creative Child Magazine 7/13/2012 (Price: $19.99; Age: 0 to 5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Dodo-to-Go by GREAT DIVIDE CORP
This gorgeous, luxe duo is hard to resist; its a blankie for life on-the-go. It’s a toy storage, pouch-pillow and blanket all in one, sure to make nap time cozy just about anywhere. Launch date: March 2012. Awards: 2012 Kids Product of the Year - Creative Child Magazine 7/13/2012 (Price: $19.99; Age: 3 to 10) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Following are some of the programs represented in TDmonthly.com's section of award winners: Dr.
Toy, iParenting
Media Awards, TIA
T.O.T.Y., Oppenheim
Toy Portfolio, The
National Parenting Center, and Parents'
Choice Awards.
You may also access TDmonthly's review
section to see which products earned 5 TD stars.
|